International Town Criers Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Monday, July 10th. There are until the next observance.

While it may come as a surprise to many, International Town Criers Day, which comes on July 10 this year, exists. Every year on the second Monday, it is observed. Are you unsure what a town crier is? We were as well, for the phrase itself has gone into obscurity and is already antiquated (much like the job itself). A town crier, sometimes known as a bellman, was a member of a royal court or public authority whose role it was to draw everyone’s attention in the streets in order to make formal proclamations or notifications to the general public. While we don’t know how effective this was, it must have been a difficult undertaking, especially for individuals who are prone to stage fright or are terrified of huge audiences. But who or what may be the current counterpart of the “town crier” today? We’ll let you think about it for a while!

📆 When is International Town Criers Day?

This year, International Town Criers Day is on July 10th. It is the 2nd Monday in July; in 2024, it is on Wednesday.

Countdown to International Town Criers Day

Did you know: Town criers would beat a drum in the village center and read the village headman’s announcements.

You can also explore all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about July 10, 2023.

📜 History of International Town Criers Day

Greek heralds, who were dispatched to signal the start of war, are thought to be the originators of town criers. Fun fact: Stentor, a Greek town crier who was reputed to have the “voice of 50 men,” is the origin of the word “stentorian,” which refers to voice and means “loud and powerful.” Town criers in medieval England would start their cries with the words “Oyez, oyez,” which approximately translates from French to “hear you, hear you,” in order to inform the general population of vital news and current events.

Before the media and widespread literacy, each nation had its own version of a town crier. Because the town crier had to be literate and was in charge of informing the public of vital news, the position was prominent. These officials occasionally had to deliver bad news, so they needed to be protected against mobs who might wish to “shoot the messenger.” As a result, legislation was passed that made killing a town crier treasonous. In reality, the order to protect town criers is where the expression “don’t shoot the messenger” originates.

☑️ International Town Criers Day facts

Nepal
The Nepali word for a town crier was katuwal (derived from Tibetan for “voice” and the suffix for “person”),’ and they would also issue local labor notices.

Sri Lanka
“Ana bera” was the Sri Lankan word for announcements accompanied by drum beats, which were used to transmit news.

Nigeria
The Igbo tribe would strike a special drum and proclaim the news.

Things to do on International Town Criers Day

Be a town crier for the day
Change things up a little by making all announcements (or anything else) loud, forceful, and decisive. This may also be a fantastic method to educate those around you on the importance of the town crier and why they deserve a day dedicated to them. Make it more enjoyable by dressing up and hiring a town crier’s levy.

Research town criers
Do some research to learn about the many types of town criers that have existed throughout cultures and civilizations. Learn what was similar and what was different, as well as the influence town criers had on their communities.

Attend a town crier championship
Various town crier competitions are conducted throughout Europe, North America, and Australia, and a world championship is held every other year. These eccentric events are guaranteed to be unique, with categories ranging from “best dressed” to “loudest,” so find out more about the next scheduled town crier championship near you.

📅 International Town Criers Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 July 10 Monday
2024 July 10 Wednesday
2025 July 10 Thursday
2026 July 10 Friday
2027 July 10 Saturday

Explore all July holidays, including Special Interest and other Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about International Town Criers Day. So be sure to check back soon.